Hokkaido travel guide

A trip to Hokkaido means four seasons of scenery in Japan's northernmost wilderness: lavender and sunflower fields in summer (Furano, Biei), autumn leaves, powder snow (Niseko) and the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter, and cherry blossoms in spring. Every season looks completely different. The gateway is New Chitose Airport (CTS).

Sapporo is Hokkaido's administrative and tourism base, with the Susukino food district, Odori Park and the former Hokkaido Government Office (the red-brick building) close together. Crab, Hokkaido seafood, Sapporo ramen, jingisukan and soup curry are reasons to come for the food alone.

Hokkaido's vast natural scale, completely unlike Tokyo or Osaka, is its main appeal. Four days cover the highlights of Sapporo, Otaru and Furano; with five nights or more you can add Hakodate and Noboribetsu.

Visa and entry requirements for Japan

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Visa information and exemptions (short-term stay) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)
• Visit Japan Web (online immigration and customs registration) (Digital Agency, Government of Japan)

Odori Park is a 1.5 km green strip running east to west through central Sapporo. During the Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri, 7–10 days in February), giant snow sculptures draw 2 million visitors from around the world. In summer, the Sapporo beer garden opens here.

Susukino is Hokkaido's biggest food and nightlife district, packed with crab, kaisendon and soup curry restaurants, and home to Sapporo Ramen Yokocho (ramen alley).

Otaru is 30 minutes from Sapporo by JR, famous for canal night views, glasswork and its music box museum, with fresh sashimi and Otaru sake for food lovers.

Furano, where lavender fields turn purple in July, is Hokkaido's top summer destination. Farm Tomita is the best-known spot, with lavender soft-serve ice cream and essential oils.

• Peak lavender: late June to late July
• Sunflowers: early to mid-August
• Sapporo to Furano: about 2 hours by JR limited express (non-reserved seat 3,670 yen)

Biei is a town of gentle hills where fields of wheat, corn, potatoes and other crops spread out like a patchwork quilt. The Christmas Tree and Seiko Maruyama are favorite photo spots.

About 3 hours 30 minutes from Sapporo by JR limited express. The night view from the Mount Hakodate observatory is ranked with Naples and Hong Kong as one of the world's three great night views. The standard plan is to take the ropeway (1,800 yen return) and enjoy the view. In 2026 the ropeway is closed for statutory inspection from 20 October to 8 November, and visitors go up by the mountain bus (Mount Hakodate Ropeway official notice, checked 23 October). If your trip falls before 8 November, consider visiting after it reopens.

The morning market opens from 5:00, with fresh kaisendon and hairy crab (from 1,500 yen each). Goryokaku (the star-shaped fort) and the Western-style streets of Motomachi are also recommended.

Niseko is Asia's top powder-snow ski resort, with more than 15 m of snowfall a year. A one-day lift pass costs about 8,000 yen. With many international visitors, English service is comprehensive.

Furano Ski Resort is ideal for families and intermediate skiers, and Rusutsu is known for good value and wide-open runs. Noboribetsu and Jozankei suit trips combining hot-spring resorts with skiing.